Day 1
Meeting at the hotel, transfer to the airport, flight (1 hour) to the city of Armenia. Upon arrival, a transport will be ready to take the group to the beautiful city of Salento, a typical coffee town with colonial paisa architecture and a relaxed atmosphere. The first visit to Salento will be in the famous and picturesque Cocora Valley, located 25 minutes away and at an altitude of 2425 meters above sea level. The local symbol is the Wax Palm. It is also a great place to dine while taking in the scenery. Back in Salento, you will have some free time to enjoy this quiet town and a wide range of crafts and local products. For the active traveler, there are many optional tour options such as the expert-led La Kasa Botanical Tour in the area of fauna and flora, horseback riding routes, mountain biking routes and much more.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Early breakfast, transfer from Salento to Pereira (2 hours), located in the heart of the coffee area. Before heading to the mountains, we will make a short stop here to buy snacks and everything that the participants may need at the last minute. Further about 2 more hours along the banks of the Otun river, bypassing the rural areas "La Florida" and "La Suiza", to the beginning of the trail known as "El Сedral" (2105 m). From now on, the group will follow a very beautiful route with a moderate ascent rate for 2.5 hours to the "La Pastora" refuge, then the steepness will increase and in 3.5 hours, we will reach the daily goal of the "El Jordan" farm (3195 m), located in an idyllic location between the volcanic hills, covered with dense vegetation and decorated with waterfalls with crystal clear waters. This is one of the most beautiful days of the program due to the changeable nature and weather.
Overnight in a tent.
Ascent: 1090 m / Highest altitude: 3195 m / Distance: 13.6 km / Activity duration: 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 3
After breakfast we continue up the same river valley, climbing as the landscape changes into a spectacular volcanic eroded terrain. In 2 hours the valley of the "El Bosque" crater will open. There are colorful plants and meadows surrounded by high semicircular basalt walls. There will be a short break to enjoy these landscapes and have a quick bite to eat. The trail continues up the valley, following a series of ridges leading to "El Mosquito" lake. On the way, you can see distant volcanoes for the first time, such as: El Paramillo del Quindio and Nevado Santa Isabel. Once near Mosquito lake, the terrain will be much flatter until Lake Otun runs out. Lake Otun is the largest body of water in the national park and one of the most beautiful. From the drain, the hike will take about 35 minutes to the camping Otun (3933 m), which is located at the huts of the national park. The rest of the day is spent enjoying the place, strolling along the lakeside and getting lost in the vast gardens of Frailejones, an endemic plant in the northern Andes.
Overnight in tents.
Ascent: 738 m / Highest altitude: 3933 m / Distance: 9 km / Activity duration: 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 4
Today's route can be taken along one of two trails that leave from the camping on Lake Otun. The guide will choose the route depending on the team's physical condition and weather conditions.
1. On the western trail of the lake:
After breakfast, we go back to the lake drain, and then along the trail / dirt road that goes along the western edge of the lake to the "La Asomadera" mountain pass (4139 m), the borders between the states of Caldas and Risaralda. This is the best place to see Otun lake. From here, the road descends smoothly through the open mountainous landscape down to the northern entrance to the National Park known as Potosi. Farm "Campo Alegre" (3920 m) is located a few meters after the hut of the park keeper, right on the road to Manizales. The team will spend the night at the farm, which offers beautiful views of the volcanoes Santa Isabel and Ruiz.
Overnight in a tent / hostel.
Ascent: 219 m / Descent: 589 m / Highest altitude: 4139 m / Distance: 11.3 km / Activity duration: 4-5 hours
2. Along the eastern path of the lake:
This trail follows the eastern shore of the lake and climbs to the higher Asomadera ridge, passing through well-preserved native gardens and picturesque waterfalls. Once on the ridge, the trail descends along a series of small lakes down to the lower Asomadera pass, joins with the western trail, following the road down to the northern part Potosi National Park and further to the Campo Alegre farm (3920 m). This route is more difficult and takes longer.
Overnight in a tent.
Ascent: 304 m / Descent: 317 m / Highest Altitude: 4237 m / Distance: 11.8 km / Activity duration: 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 5
Very early breakfast and transfer (45 min.) to the La Conejera parking area (4151 m), from where the ascent begins.The ascent starts from the "Paramo" (grassland) section along a well-marked trail, which is constantly gaining height to the edge of the glacier (4680 m). Due to its location, the glacier offers a beautiful view of the northern part of the park. Further, the ascent continues for about 20 minutes along the disappearing glacier.
There are two options for ascent: North (4965 m) or Central (4925 m) summits.
The decision can be made on site depending on the weather and mountain conditions, as well as the fitness of the team members and how they handle the altitude. The North Summit, the most difficult of the two, runs along a longer moraine that becomes quite steep and difficult to climb before reaching the North Glacier. From here, the ascent to the dome-shaped summit is fairly straightforward.
The central summit, on the other hand, is much closer in distance, but a little more difficult just below the summit, requiring you to go through an easy section that leads to the summit. On clear days, both peaks offer fantastic views of Nevado del Ruiz (the tallest of the volcanoes in the park, currently limited by volcanic activity), La Olleta crater and Manizales valley.
The descent is carried out along the same path. Next, transport will take the group (3-4 hours) to a coffee farm in the Manizales area.
Night at the coffee farm.
To the northern summit: Ascent: 814 m / Descent: 814 m / Highest altitude: 4965 m / Distance: 4.57 km one way / Activity duration: 7-8 hours
To the Central Summit: Ascent: 774 m / Descent: 744 m / Highest altitude: 4925 m / Distance: 4.03 km one way / Activity duration: 6-7 hours.
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 6
Hacienda Venezia, a real (authentic) coffee farm with exclusive coffee production, awarded for its coffee. The farmhouses, now refurbished as a hostel and hotel, are built in charming Paisin architecture. Morning joint coffee tour, visit to coffee fields. Learn everything there is to know and more about coffee production. Coffee Farm Venice has won several prizes for its excellent coffee - see how it is made and processed, and how really good espresso is made!
Night at the coffee farm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast at the coffee farm, transfer to Manizales airport (45 min.). Upon arrival in Bogota, transfer to the hotel - End of the tour.
Meals included: breakfast
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